I cannot say whether Japan only takes and doesn't give back. I read a lot about where and how Japan takes and not much about giving, that is true.

Now, that is a behaviour you would find in just about any country. Somehow it's always at the expense of animals. That can be said about some countries skinning dogs alive, about the American fast food industry's way of keeping their live stock, etc etc.

But I have to say, it seems that Japan is particularly stubborn in regards to taking from the oceans. It's unfortunately not only the whales. As someone pointed out above, maybe there are enough minkies in the world oceans to make the small number that Japan catches these days acceptable.

What should concern us all much more is the depletion of Tuna in world oceans, and again, it is Japan that seems to be the greediest. See below articles. I was particularly surprised to read several times meanwhile that Japan not only ate a great part of the Pacific Tuna. They also import about !!! 80% !!!! of Atlantic Bluefin. Now, the reason why this kind of got my attention is the fact that we are talking about ONE COUNTRY eating all that fish.

I understand that there is a tradition in Japan of eating fish, but does it really have to be that much??? Doesn't the rest of the world have a right to question that??? After all, when Tuna is gone, all countries will suffer the consequences. Nobody is going to bring them back, once they are gone!

It is good for the environment to raise rates to match the true cost to our planet of producing electricity, which have increased since Japan has left cleaner nuclear power.

That would be correct if the extra money was used to replace old and dirty energy sources with new, alternative ones. But that's not the case here. The money really either goes to the investors of power companies, or they are used to pay the victims of Fukushima (which indirectly, of course, is again helping the investors of Tepco, since they should really shoulder the costs).
P.S.: When I talk of "alternative" energy, I do not refer to nuclear power. As we all know by now, nuclear power is one of the dirtiest energy forms of all.

I have seen a documentary on Japanese TV showing Japanese farmers successfully competing in and exporting to overseas markets - rice, that is. But they admitted that they had to change their ways.

Again, I think food independence is an important issue in any country, but I think the farmers have had it a bit too easy in the past. Every other industry has to innovate due to competition, why not Japanese rice farmers???

As much as I understand that a country tries to preserve food independence, one has to be a little realistic. Nearly 800% import tax on a staple food product is a joke, full stop.

Also, Japan, think about it. Dont you think the American car industry would also prefer protection from cheap (and admittedly better) cars from Japan and Korea. You cant have it both ways if you want to be in this club.

I have to agree with what was said above: the Japanese public (consumer) makes up 100% of the population and they should be the government`s first responsibility. Pharma, for instance: why am I paying 7 euros for a deodorant stick, more than 3 times what it costs in Europe??? (And is that why a lot of people here seem to have a BO problem in summer?)

You produce dirt cheap in China, then you wanna sell it for a lot of money without any tariffs to other countries, but charge other countries 800% import tax? Get real!

Yes Mr. Noda, you are right there and your party also started off well looking into wasteful spending. Then the Tsunami came and you completely lost the plot. If you had got back to what you originally set out to do, Japan would be better off now. Anyone who seriously wants to fix the ills of this country, needs to start with curbing the bureaucrats.

The graduates cant find work? You might want to investigate what kind of skills they have to offer their potential employers and whether something went wrong during their time in school? You have to start teaching them about independent thinking and innovation. Thats what Japanese companies, like everyone in a globalized world, will need to survive.

The good news is that it seems politicians and power companies (i.e. the nuclear village) don`t get away with murder anymore.

The two big questions:
1. How could a nuclear power plant end up on top of an active fault line in the first place???
2. What will it be like regarding nuclear power and their safety once the LDP is back in the driver`s seat again???

It doesn`t really matter, I think. If anyone is affected by what "other people" think, their judgement would have to be questioned anyway.

At the end of the day, one should listen carefully to what the various parties have to say and choose the one thats BEST FOR THE COUNTRY.
(Lets hope the party will after the election do what they promised!!!)